Manny Mota

The Cubs invited 38-year-old pinch-hitter Lenny Harris to spring training Wednesday as a non-roster invite. Harris became baseball's career pinch-hit leader Oct. 6, 2001, passing Manny Mota with the 151st of his career. The 15-year veteran played in Milwaukee last year, hitting .305 in 197 at-bats. Harris said Sammy Sosa told him while working out in the off-season that he would be a Cub one day. "We worked out a lot together at St. Thomas University in Miami," Harris said.

There's no way for any of us to know how Josh Hamilton feels these days, but if you ask him he will do his best to let you know. That says a lot in itself. The guy who might have the best idea about what swirls through Hamilton's head is Dodgers coach Manny Mota. It was Mota who had the misfortune to line a ball into the seats at Dodger Stadium in 1970, striking 14-year-old Alan Fish in the head. The teenager died four days later. "I'm sad for Josh, because I...

The billboard that appeared last weekend outside AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, said "Trade Barry." It looked like one of those message ads paid for by concerned citizens, in this case by fans wanting the Giants to dump controversial slugger Barry Bonds. If it wasn't immediately apparent that the big sign was the launch of a commercial campaign--to promote collecting and trading baseball cards--that may be because few people really think about baseball cards these days.

Ken Harrelson, the new White Sox front-office boss, has made his first deal, a five-player swap with the Texas Rangers. The Sox are acquiring two front-liners, infielder Wayne Tolleson and right-handed relief pitcher Dave Schmidt. Scott Fletcher, a utility infielder who hit .256 in 1985, and two players from the Sox farm system--second baseman Jose Mota and pitcher Edwin Correa --go to the Rangers in the exchange. Mota, son of former big-leaguer Manny Mota, was the club's...

When the new year rolled around and the phone wasn't ringing, Lenny Harris was prepared to face the reality that his baseball career was over. But when Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called Jan. 8 and offered him a non-roster invitation to camp, Harris, 38, jumped at the opportunity. After beating the odds and winning a roster spot, Harris may be the biggest underdog on a team that defines the term. "I love it when you're an underdog," Harris said. "Just about every team I've been with has...

The Cubs signed Dave Hansen late in the winter as an insurance policy in case rookie Kevin Orie wasn't quite ready yet for the big leagues. While Orie showed signs of ability at third base, shoulder problems hampered his progress and forced him onto the disabled list, giving the 28-year-old Hansen a chance to step in and show he's more than just a pinch-hitter. Hansen has taken full advantage of the opportunity, hitting .355 heading into Wednesday's game and coming up with the game-winning,...

The Cubs invited 38-year-old pinch-hitter Lenny Harris to spring training Wednesday as a non-roster invite. Harris became baseball's career pinch-hit leader Oct. 6, 2001, passing Manny Mota with the 151st of his career. The 15-year veteran played in Milwaukee last year, hitting .305 in 197 at-bats. Harris said Sammy Sosa told him while working out in the off-season that he would be a Cub one day. "We worked out a lot together at St. Thomas University in Miami," Harris said.

In a move to change the team's luck or to give him more national television exposure, Los Angeles Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda coached third base Saturday and bench coach Bill Russell coached first in place of regulars Joe Amalfitano and Manny Mota. The Dodgers sent shortstop Mariano Duncan to Triple-A Albuquerque and bought the contract of infielder Brad Wellman from that club. Duncan was hitting .216 in 67 games with 5 home runs and 16 runs batted in. He also led the team with 17 errors.

The Cubs signed Dave Hansen late in the winter as an insurance policy in case rookie Kevin Orie wasn't quite ready yet for the big leagues. While Orie showed signs of ability at third base, shoulder problems hampered his progress and forced him onto the disabled list, giving the 28-year-old Hansen a chance to step in and show he's more than just a pinch-hitter. Hansen has taken full advantage of the opportunity, hitting .355 heading into Wednesday's game and coming up with the game-winning,...

"If I stay healthy, Manny Mota's record is not out of reach," the Phillies` Greg Gross said after delivering the 100th pinch hit of his career Tuesday, an eighth-inning single. "I figure to have six or seven years left." Mota holds the major-league mark with 150 pinch hits. Gross, who will be 34 Aug. 1, ranks 10th on the all-time list of pinch-hitters, two behind another ex-Cub, Mike Lum. "Greg is amazing," said Phils` manager John Felske. "When we need it, he finds a way to...

When the new year rolled around and the phone wasn't ringing, Lenny Harris was prepared to face the reality that his baseball career was over. But when Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called Jan. 8 and offered him a non-roster invitation to camp, Harris, 38, jumped at the opportunity. After beating the odds and winning a roster spot, Harris may be the biggest underdog on a team that defines the term. "I love it when you're an underdog," Harris said. "Just about every team I've been with has...

In a move to change the team's luck or to give him more national television exposure, Los Angeles Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda coached third base Saturday and bench coach Bill Russell coached first in place of regulars Joe Amalfitano and Manny Mota. The Dodgers sent shortstop Mariano Duncan to Triple-A Albuquerque and bought the contract of infielder Brad Wellman from that club. Duncan was hitting .216 in 67 games with 5 home runs and 16 runs batted in. He also led the team with 17 errors.

Bottom of the fifth inning Monday at Wrigley Field, Cubs losing by three runs, one out and the pitcher due up. Cub manager Gene Michael, pacing the dugout, paused and pointed toward Gary Matthews, a grizzled old pro who has been riding the bench. "Sarge!" barked Michael. "Yes, sir." "Get up there and get a hit!" Unlike most pinch-hitting assignments, there wasn`t much pressure. The Cubs and Dodgers were in midgame. Also, the bases were empty. The Sarge lugged his lumber...

Bottom of the fifth inning Monday at Wrigley Field, Cubs losing by three runs, one out and the pitcher due up. Cub manager Gene Michael, pacing the dugout, paused and pointed toward Gary Matthews, a grizzled old pro who has been riding the bench. "Sarge!" barked Michael. "Yes, sir." "Get up there and get a hit!" Unlike most pinch-hitting assignments, there wasn`t much pressure. The Cubs and Dodgers were in midgame. Also, the bases were empty. The Sarge lugged his lumber...

The billboard that appeared last weekend outside AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, said "Trade Barry." It looked like one of those message ads paid for by concerned citizens, in this case by fans wanting the Giants to dump controversial slugger Barry Bonds. If it wasn't immediately apparent that the big sign was the launch of a commercial campaign--to promote collecting and trading baseball cards--that may be because few people really think about baseball cards these days.

"If I stay healthy, Manny Mota's record is not out of reach," the Phillies` Greg Gross said after delivering the 100th pinch hit of his career Tuesday, an eighth-inning single. "I figure to have six or seven years left." Mota holds the major-league mark with 150 pinch hits. Gross, who will be 34 Aug. 1, ranks 10th on the all-time list of pinch-hitters, two behind another ex-Cub, Mike Lum. "Greg is amazing," said Phils` manager John Felske. "When we need it, he finds a way to...

There's no way for any of us to know how Josh Hamilton feels these days, but if you ask him he will do his best to let you know. That says a lot in itself. The guy who might have the best idea about what swirls through Hamilton's head is Dodgers coach Manny Mota. It was Mota who had the misfortune to line a ball into the seats at Dodger Stadium in 1970, striking 14-year-old Alan Fish in the head. The teenager died four days later. "I'm sad for Josh, because I...

Ken Harrelson, the new White Sox front-office boss, has made his first deal, a five-player swap with the Texas Rangers. The Sox are acquiring two front-liners, infielder Wayne Tolleson and right-handed relief pitcher Dave Schmidt. Scott Fletcher, a utility infielder who hit .256 in 1985, and two players from the Sox farm system--second baseman Jose Mota and pitcher Edwin Correa --go to the Rangers in the exchange. Mota, son of former big-leaguer Manny Mota, was the club's...